Chapter 8 - THE BLACKWOOD SECRET
Adrian disappeared for four days.
No messages.
No calls.
Evelyn told herself it didn't matter.
By day three, she was furious.
By day four, she realized fury was simply worry wearing armor.
Then Rebecca called.
“You need to see the news.”
Blackwood Capital was under investigation.
Not Adrian personally.
The company.
A former executive alleged that Blackwood subsidiaries had profited from disaster-zone land acquisitions.
Evelyn felt sick.
Disaster zones.
She immediately thought of the landslide.
Had Adrian really been there because of charity?
Or business?
When he finally appeared at her apartment, Evelyn didn't invite him inside.
“Tell me.”
Adrian looked exhausted.
“My uncle used two Blackwood subsidiaries to purchase distressed land after natural disasters.”
“You knew?”
“Not until three months ago.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because federal investigators asked me not to disclose the internal audit.”
Evelyn stared.
“And the landslide?”
“I was there because our foundation was there.”
“Was Blackwood trying to buy land?”
Adrian's silence answered enough.
“One subsidiary was.”
Evelyn stepped back.
“Adrian.”
“I stopped the transaction.”
“After?”
“Before closing.”
“But your family still tried.”
“Yes.”
No excuses.
That mattered.
But it didn't erase the problem.
Adrian handed her a folder.
“What is this?”
“Evidence.”
She didn't take it.
“I don't want privileged information.”
“It isn't. It's the public disclosure we're releasing tomorrow.”
His uncle, Charles Blackwood, had authorized the acquisitions.
Adrian had discovered them.
Then Adrian had reported his own company.
The investigation existed because of him.
“You exposed your family?”
“I exposed wrongdoing.”
“He's your uncle.”
“So?”
Evelyn stared at him.
Adrian's mouth twisted.
“You're surprised?”
“I spent three years around a man who believed loyalty meant protecting people from consequences.”
Adrian understood.
“My definition is different.”
“So was Michael Whitmore's.”
Evelyn told him about the letter.
About Claire.
About Nathan.
When she finished, Adrian was quiet.
Then he said something unexpected.
“Don't hate him forever.”
Evelyn blinked.
“You're defending Nathan?”
“Absolutely not. I dislike him recreationally.”
Despite herself, she laughed.
“But?”
“But people can do unforgivable things without being irredeemable people.”
Adrian looked toward the window.
“My father blamed himself for Lily's death.”
“Why?”
“He was supposed to evacuate us earlier.”
Evelyn went still.
“He ignored the warning?”
“Yes.”
“Did you forgive him?”
“Eventually.”
“Why?”
“Because I realized forgiveness isn't the same as restoring someone's old position in your life.”
That sentence settled deeply inside her.
She could forgive Nathan someday.
She didn't have to return to him.
Evelyn looked at Adrian.
“And us?”
His gaze sharpened.
“Us?”
“You disappeared for four days.”
A slow smile appeared.
“You noticed.”
“Don't become unbearable.”
“Too late.”
She stepped closer.
“Next time, tell me you're alive.”
Adrian's humor vanished.
“Next time, I will.”
“Good.”
He looked at her mouth.
Then back into her eyes.
“Still married?”
“Technically.”
“Damn.”
May you like
Evelyn laughed.
And Adrian, infuriatingly honorable, still did not kiss her.
